Paul has a £20 bet on Leam to score a goal in every game and the left back is 50-1 as he hasn't yet broken his Stanley duck.

Paul thought he was on for finally getting a reward for his endeavours when Richardson broke through at Woking but, with only the keeper to beat, the defender hit the bar.

Then Paul was given false hope as he sat in the Interlink bar on Monday as the announcer - and Sky - gave Andy Todd's late goal initially to Leam.

His brother thought he was at last quids in - until Todd was rightly credited with the goal.

"He wasn't happy," said Richardson. "He gave me a bit of stick for missing the one against Woking and he must have bet quite a bit of money over the season! If I score now, he will probably just break even!"

The defender may not have the goals but he does now have a hat-trick of medals he so desperately wanted.

The 26-year-old collected a prized medal with Bolton when they won promotion to the Premiership via the play-offs in 2001 and collected an LDV Vans Trophy medal when Blackpool beat Southend in 2004.

"I have got my hat-trick now. This is up there with my Bolton and Blackpool medals.

"Winning promotion to the Premier League with Bolton was special but I was only a young lad and the LDV Vans Trophy was a one-off game which was great but this is big because I have played a big part in the season.

"I have played in the majority of games and got myself established in the side. The only time I have missed out is when I have been suspended.

"It was hard as I had to sit out the York and Hereford games after I was sent off but I let the lads do the hard work and then I came back for the glory at Woking!

"From a selfish point of view, I was glad we hadn't won the league sooner and it was great to be part of the win rather than sat in the stands in a suit.

"It was a great day and a relief to actually cross the finishing line. We had been hanging on for a bit and we are only a young team and you do worry if it will be too much but the lads have done well. And everyone has been involved - even the ones who haven't played as much."

Richardson is playing for a contract as his runs out at the end of this season and he is waiting to see what happens.

"I have been playing for a contract all the time," said Richardson, who had a fall-out with the Blackpool manager and left the club last summer to join Accrington. "You are always trying to impress whether it is the current manager or people who are watching.

"When I first came to Accrington, I did not sign a contract as I had never been out of the league and it was a bad situation I got left in and I was waiting to see what happened.

"But I have enjoyed it here and, if everything is all right, I will have no qualms about signing for next season but obviously I have got to speak to the manager."

And he has been impressed with his young team mates.

"I think, after the first few games, we started to get our confidence.

"Everyone said Ian Craney was a lot fitter than he was last year and Gary Roberts found his confidence - although we have to try and bring it down now! - and the back four haven't conceded too many goals.

"We have kept a good number of clean sheets and that has helped us win games.

"And the keepers have done well. Darren Randolph did really well and then Rob (Elliot) had stepped it up again - John Coleman has done so well to get two good young keepers like that in.

"And, having played in the league, I know Paul Mullin will carry on scoring goals. He has continued to prove himself at every level he has stepped up to.

"Gary and Ian will be a big part and I am sure, with the team spirit we have got and with more experienced additions, we will do well next season."